Athens International Airport

Opened in 2001 as a replacement for Ellinikon International Airport, Athens International Airport lies 19 miles away from the city’s central district. In 2011, the complex’s two terminals handled a total of 14 million passengers, and are specially designed to allow for modifications and upgrades as passenger numbers increase to above its 21 million present capacities.

The facility is a hub for national flag carrier Olympic Air, while Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air France, Air China, Aeroflot, Alitalia, British Airways, Delta, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, and a host of other full-service airlines offer routes to European, North African, and Asian destinations. New York is the only US destination served so visitors from America will most likely need to transfer somewhere else in Euope. Domestic flights to a long list of Greek Islands are provided, and several low-coast airlines including easyJet offer budget flights.

Traveler amenities at the two terminals include a full banking service, nine ATMs, a currency exchange desk, wireless internet, a well-equipped business center, an exhibition facility, and eight executive lounges. Assistance for the disabled and families traveling with children is provided, along with a health center. There is also a hotel on the complex and a dedicated retail park. Extensive shopping options include Armani, Nike, and Victoria’s Secret, and there’s a plethora of duty-free outlets.

A wide selection of eateries including Greek and international cuisine, as well as fast foods and bars, can be found in both terminals, and over 7,000 parking spaces, as well as an executive parking service make life easy for those coming to meet and greet. Car rental desks are found in the Arrivals areas and onward transportation is via taxi, the airport’s Athens Metro, overland rail stations, as well as by four bus lines and limo rental.

Heraklion International Airport

Heraklion Airport, set three miles from the town of the same name, serves the island of Crete and is Greece’s second-busiest air arrivals hub. Olympic operates from here, as do a good number of smaller and budget airlines covering domestic inter-island flights, mainland destinations such as Athens and Thessaloniki, and international routes to Northern Europe. Most flights are seasonal, with the exception of those to domestic destinations. Passenger amenities include light refreshment cafés and bars, an ATM, duty-free outlets, and duty-paid stores offering cosmetics, gifts, and books. Onward transportation is by bus, taxi, or hotel shuttle.

Rhodes International Airport

Serving the island of Rhodes, Greece and up to four million passengers a year, this island airport sits less than 10 miles (a 20 minute drive) from the island capital, Rodos. Many of the flights are seasonal, with services to popular destinations across Europe including Berlin, Rome, Paris, and London. Ryanair, Aegean Airlines and Thomson Airways are among the carriers with the most routes. Many passengers landing here make use of car rental at the airport to get to their accommodation, but slower, cheaper public buses are also available. Taxis are on hand outside Arrivals and fares to the main resorts are reasonable.

Mykonos Airport

Mykonos Airport is a 10 minute drive from the island’s main town and mostly operates during the high season. Apart from Olympic Air and Austrian Airlines, most of the carriers serving the hub are low-cost or package tour operations including easyJet, Thomson Airways, and Thomas Cook. Seasonal routes provided include Athens, Milan, Rome, London Gatwick, Venice, Berlin, and Paris. Facilities at the terminal include car rental, a duty-free shop, a café serving snacks and light meals, an ATM, parking spaces, and assistance for limited mobility passengers. Transportation is only by taxi or hotel shuttle bus.